Waipā Networks
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 | |
| Industry | Electricity distribution |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | , New Zealand |
Key people | Sean Horgan, CEO |
| Owner | Waipā Energy Trust |
| Website | waipanetworks |
Waipā Networks Limited is a New Zealand electricity distribution company, serving Cambridge, Te Awamutu and areas extending to Kawhia, Hauturu, Pukeatua, French Pass and Paterangi. Waipā has about 30,000 connections and is 100% owned by the Waipā Energy Trust.[1]
Cambridge Electric Power Board
Waipā Networks was formed in 1998 from Waipā Power, which began in 1993 with the merger of Te Awamutu and Cambridge Electric Power Boards.[1]
The Boards were set up under the Electric-power Boards Act 1918,[2] after the Public Works Department bought the 6,300 kW (8,400 hp) Horahora power station on 1 November 1919 for £212,500.[3] Hamilton Chamber of Commerce held a conference to create a Hydro Electric Power Board for the Waikato,[4] on 23 June 1919, but that was rejected and it was agreed to form local boards instead.[5]
Cambridge Power Board initially covered about 100 sq mi (260 km2),[3] with 200 hp (150 kW) allocated to the Board.[6]
A provisional committee to form a Board held its first meeting on 1 October 1919.[7] The first Board was elected on 11 February 1920.[8] The first power in the Waikato from Horahora was switched on at Leamington town hall on 28 April 1921,[9] but it took another year to turn on the street lights in Cambridge,[10] as all the other local Boards had taken on staff and put in orders earlier.[11] A 2-storey office opened on Alpha Street in October 1925.[12] The building was renovated in 1992.[13]
Te Awamutu Electric Power Board
Te Awamutu Power Board was the first in the country to be set up, its first meeting being on 10 February 1920.[14] It initially covered about 300 sq mi (780 km2), including Kihikihi, Te Awamutu, Pirongia, Te Rore, and Ōhaupō,[3] with 600 hp (450 kW) allocated to the Board.[6]
No election was held for the first Board, as a campaign had been run to have only one candidate for each area represented[15] and the consensus allowed a 1920 poll, for a £120,000 loan, to be carried without opposition. In Te Awamutu 81 street lights[16] were lit up on 26 August 1921.[17] Kihikihi received power on 6 September,[18] Pirongia on 30 December[19] and Ōhaupō on 15 February 1922.[20] The Board met in several locations,[21] until their concrete office block at 486-488 Alexandra Street[22] was completed in December 1926.[23]